Interview with Dana Dajani, award-winning Palestinian actor, producer, director, writer, model, spoken-word artist and founder of The Human Spirit Project.
Your main inspiration: I am constantly inspired to present an alternative Arab narrative. Even as a child pre-9/11, that was my driving force and one of the reasons I was willing to be in the public eye: to present an alternative image of Muslims and Arabs. Then after university, this was also the reason I was inspired to return to the Middle East. I moved back to invest in cultivating the performing arts scene, to revive our ancient oral traditions and create contemporary narratives as well.
Your biggest challenge: Persevering through countless criticism and people who told me to “grow up” and get a “real job” i.e. work in an office, and keep acting as a hobby. It took about a decade for my parents to get comfortable with the idea that this is my calling in life, that the arts are where I shine and how I give back to the world.
For more info – www.danadajani.com
3 comments
We are very proud for the outstanding achievements of Ms Dana Dajani. We are in bad need for such figures to make difference.
You are an inspiration for breaking racial barriers and stereotypes. Don’t worry about the criticism. It’s expected when you are breaking the mould. You are blazing a trial for young Palestinian women across the world. Keep up the excellent work.
You are an inspiration for breaking racial barriers and stereotypes.
Don’t worry about the criticism… It’s expected when you are breaking the mould.
You are blazing a trail for young Palestinian women across the world.